Drive by shootings are way up in San Antonio and other major Texas cities, as the violent crime rate rises, and now Texas police agencies think they know at least one reason why: gang taunting, which used to take place via graffiti and signs flashed in public places, is now moving to social media, News Radio reports.
."We've seen instances in which a gang war goes on, or takes place, on social media, and it ultimately ends up in a drive by shooting," Dallas Police Chief David Pughes said.
San Antonio Police, and other police agencies, have adjusted their patrolling policies to deal with the rise in gang shootings, which frequently, Pughes says, are drive bys.
"What causes us concern are the shots into a building, the drive by shootings that are occurring," Pughes said. "We have seen a 148% increase in those drive by shootings."
And, in San Antonio and other major shootings, the bullets don't care who they hit. Many of the victims have been innocent passers by and children, and frequently the idiot gang members shoot up the wrong house.
So far, no ideas on how to combat the move of gang warfare to social media.